Tanker flips on 81At approximately 10:00hrs
June 9,2003 Station 18 was given a first alarm assignment for a MVA on
Interstate 81 mm 211 southbound. On the response were R-18, 18-9
and one ALS truck. The initial report is as follows:

The tractor trailer rollover,
one truck on its side carrying an unknown product in a tanker, had possibly
some type of oil or lubricant additive. Unknown entrapment, unknown
cargo, with fuel tanks on the tractor leaking.

Due to the multiple reports
received by the 911 center and the close proximity of waterways,
EMA 5803 responded to the scene. While enroute Chief 18-2 (O’Rourke)
requested one engine company out of Harford for additional suppression
support at the scene. Chief 18-3 (Seman) radioed on scene and established
18 command reporting one tractor-trailer tanker on its side with the tanker
upside down, no obvious spillage of tank product, truck fuel spillage in
progress and no placards on the tanker. Command located the driver,
who was uninjured, but a language barrier hampered communication.

It was confirmed the tanker
was full, a safe zone set-up and a call placed to the carrier with the
assistance of 5803 (Wood) to confirm product. Within a short time,
it was confirmed the product was a lubricating additive with low-level
hazards.

With the tanker still upset,
their remained concern of catastrophic failure to the tank due to the stress
on the vessel and or possible leaks from the top of the tank that was buried
in the median. A heavy recovery team was called, along with a fuel
clean up team to right the vehicle. A coordinated effort between
all agencies involved produced a positive outcome to the incident.
Penn dot responded quickly with the safety crew to assist PSP in detouring
traffic, Kozlowski towing righted the vehicle, CGE contained the fuel spill
and Harford handled engine company duties during the righting. Rescue
18 served as the command post for the incident.

The scene was cleared
with no reported emergency personnel injuries and a thanks to all agencies
involved.